3 Big Myths About the Viability of Lightweight Steel Framing in Construction

With more and more developers being focused on mitigating risk and avoiding liquidated damages on projects, many are realising that using lightweight steel framing is the answer.

Having said that, there are also some common misconceptions around its use so some developers and builders have avoided making the change.

This article explodes some of the myths.

Myth #1: It’s Hard to Build With & Takes Longer

Because chippies are used to building with timber, they sometimes feel that working with lightweight streel faming is difficult and will increase construction times.

It’s actually the opposite. To start with, frames are 60% lighter than timber so it’s easier on their backs and can be assembled in rain or even snow so there’s no weather-related downtime.

It’s also, sub-trade friendly with pre-punched service holes and plastic grommets to protect cable sheathing and pipe work.

Here’s an example.

A developer wanted to demolish the houses on a site and build two storey student apartments.

It was the end of October and the developer had a tight deadline of January for the students to move in.

The builder said, “No way. What happens if it rains or snows.”

 I said, “We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it.”

The builder said, “We can’t stand frames. It’s too wet.”

We said, “Yes you can. It’s steel. It isn’t affected by the rain.”

So we did in three months.

By Christmas lunchtime it was pretty much done.

By February, we had 50 students move in.

Myth #2: Hard to Design With and Get Approved

Another big misconception is that lightweight steel framing is hard to get through council. In truth, it isn’t, with our help. Many architects aren’t familiar with how to design with or detail it, so our architectural and detailing team work closely with them to adjust plans and even liaise with council.

Every architect we work with is pleasantly surprised at how simple the process actually is.

Myth #3: It Costs More

One of the things that people assume is that steel is more expensive than timber. 10 years ago that may have been true but not anymore, especially since worldwide timber supply is reducing.

Developers and builders find that the overall build cost is often similar or significantly cheaper (depending on the project).

These are only a fraction of the benefits of working with lightweight steel framing.  Here are some more:

• Complete a project weeks faster … regardless of the weather

• Fewer ‘call-backs’ than with timber framing

• More professional look with less cracking and popping

• Greater design flexibility

• It’s lightweight so it’s easier on the back

• Safer on health as it doesn’t attract mould or termites and contains no nasty chemicals.

• It performs well in earthquake areas

Lightweight steel framing is perfect for individual home construction, residential developments, and light commercial developments and warehouse fitouts. To find out more, visit www.Clickworks.co.nz

9 Reasons Construction Professionals Love Lightweight Steel Framing

Whether you’re a developer, a builder, or an architect, if you’re exploring ways to cut construction timeframes, mitigate risk and increase project profits, here are 9 ways lightweight steel framing help you do that.

1.    Complete a project weeks faster… regardless of the weather

In the construction industry where timely completion is critical, lightweight steel framing is a godsend.

Why?

Because steel framing is weather-resistant and doesn’t absorb moisture (unlike timber) so chippies can stand the pre-assembled frames even when it’s raining or snowing. If you think about how many days are lost to bad weather, it’s easy to see that steel gets you to ‘lock up’ faster and saves you money on wages.

2.    Reduce construction costs

With tight margins, anything that can save builders and developers money is a great thing, right?

With steel framing, final construction costs are lower.

Better still, steel framing can be erected faster. Plus, it’s sub-trade friendly with pre-punched service holes and plastic grommets to protect cable sheathing and pipe work.

3.    Hassle-free council approval

One of the biggest questions we get from architects and builders is how to get it through council. We have a team of highly experienced architectural and detailing experts who work closely with your architect to adapt plans and handle the council approval process for you so it doesn’t hold up construction.

4.    Fewer ‘call-backs’

As you know, ‘call-backs’ are time consuming and costly and the biggest culprit for call backs is timber frames shifting.

Lightweight steel doesn’t shrink or expand or move, so frames shifting during and after construction, will be a thing of the past.

5.    More professional look

Unlike timber, another great thing about steel framing is that it delivers cleaner lines and a sleeker look with less cracking and popping of finishes which means a better quality finish..

6.    Flexibility for more creative designs

One of the things that architects love about lightweight steel framing is they can be more creative with their designs without adding to construction costs.

Whether you’re building the interior for a warehouse, luxury,  multi-storey architectural home or office complex, steel framing offers the design flexibility to be used in virtually any architectural design … even in situations where timber isn’t practical.

7.    Lightweight so it’s easier on the back

Lightweight steel framing is actually 60% lighter than timber so chippies love it.

8.    Safer on health

Unlike timber, steel doesn’t attract mould or termites so home owners are protected. It also doesn’t contain nasty chemicals and is 100% recyclable (unlike timber).

9.    Perfect for earthquake areas

In tests, steel framing has proven to handle earthquakes very effectively so it’s ideal for earthquake zones.

With benefits like these, a growing number of builders, developers and architects are swapping over to using lightweight steel framing. Some are a little cautious at first because they don’t know how to work with it or how to get it through Council. That’s why Clickworks has a team who work with architects to amend designs and handle the council approval process plus they even train chippies how to erect it.

To see how lightweight steel framing stacks up for your next project visit www.clickworks.co.nz